Dill is Iceland’s most famous restaurant, and the first of its kind in the country. It was first opened in 2009 by chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason, and it received a Michelin star in 2017. Ironically, chef Gíslason moved to New York City in 2016 to open Agern with Claus Meyer (which he also helped earn a Michelin star), so he wasn’t technically the head chef of Dill when it got its star. But when Dill lost the star in 2019, Gíslason took it as a sign to move back to Iceland and help them reclaim the star. (Spoiler alert: they did!) Dill got its star back in 2020.
Looking for more great spots for food and drinks in Iceland? Check out our city map of Reykjavík!
DILL Address & Contact Information Laugavegur 59, Reykjavík, Iceland Website Instagram Facebook
Dill has moved locations a few times. It was first located in the Nordic House in Reykjavík, then in 2015 it moved to a small space in the city center that resembled a fisherman’s cottage. You can watch a YouTube video from Anders’ visit to Dill in 2018 here. Dill moved again right before the pandemic, to a kind of funny space. The outside looks like absolutely nothing special, it’s a harsh building with big glass doors in the city center that’s adjacent to a supermarket. But when you open the front door you’re met with a dark wooden facade and a large spiral staircase. Climb the stairs to enter the restaurant, which is on the second floor. There is a big open kitchen, and floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking a main street in the city center.
Dill’s inspiration is to highlight Icelandic food culture and bring it into the spotlight, to preserve time-old traditions that otherwise might disappear. Come with an open mind: you’ll try some dried and fermented foods you might not have tasted before, such as dung-smoked trout (an ingredient that sounds intimidating but actually is quite tasty). Sustainability is a big focus of the restaurant, so the chefs try to use every part of the animal when possible. The wine pairing is all natural, and their non-alcoholic pairing is made of locally produced kombuchas. Dill is a must-visit when in Reykjavík.
Have you been to Dill? Let us know in a comment below.
3 comments